Final Insight before Insight Bowl

Tuesday

Dec 28, 2010 at 12:01 AMDec 28, 2010 at 5:33 PM

Dave Matter

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Some final pregame thoughts before heading over to Sun Devil Stadium …

? The most important player for Missouri tonight? I’m going with left tackle Elvis Fisher. He’ll be squared up against Iowa right defensive end Adrian Clayborn all night, easily one of the biggest challenges the third-year starter has faced in his time protecting Tiger quarterbacks. The last time an opponent stacked its 300-pound man-child against MU’s tackles, the Tigers struggled to control the line of scrimmage at Nebraska. Like the Huskers did back in November, Iowa will line its ends helmet-to-helmet against Missouri’s offensive tackles for a night of bull-rushing. Nebraska surprised Missouri by moving tackle Jared Crick out to end in that game, and Crick won his share of battles against MU’s offensive tackles. This time, Missouri will be prepared for that type of alignment, and to get ready for the powerful but agile Clayborn, Fisher spent bowl practices lined up against a rotation of slippery end Kony Ealy and D-tackle Lucas Vincent. Tonight, Fisher vs. Clayborn might be the most crucial matchup on the field.

? No matter what they say publicly, Gabbert and defensive end Aldon Smith know this could be their final game in a Missouri uniform. Will they let the draft buzz rattle them? Or will they feed off the spotlight and add to their draft credentials with a big night against the Hawkeyes? I’ll be interested to see if Smith has his speed back after the month layoff from game-day action.

? Missouri officials won’t confirm or deny speculation that left guard Jayson Palmgren has been suspended for tonight’s game. (If he weren’t suspended, MU would likely dispel the speculation, but they’re not — so you can interpret that as you wish.) Either way, it shouldn’t be a major factor. Missouri has been using a four-guard rotation most of the season with Palmgren, Austin Wuebbels, Travis Ruth and Justin Britt. If Palmgren is out, the Tigers simply play with three guards, likely giving Ruth the start alongside Fisher.

? Will Iowa stick with their patented zone coverages or go with some man-to-man looks, the kind that gave Missouri fits in the second half of the season? If they stick to zones, expect to see Missouri pepper the edges with bubble and tunnel screens and maybe the quick passing game that Gabbert used to beat Texas A&M and Oklahoma.

? Can Missouri run? Will Missouri stick with the run if it gets stonewalled early? Against Iowa’s massive defensive front, the Tigers might be best served stretching the field horizontally and running the Hawks ragged with jet sweeps, speed option pitches and bubble screens.

? For home viewers, expect some insight from color analyst Matt Millen on his longtime pal, Missouri defensive coordinator Dave Steckel. The two played together in high school and have remained tight over the years.

? Who covers Marvin McNutt? The Hawkeyes’ only established receiving threat will get plenty of attention from the Tigers’ secondary. And with cornerback Kevin Rutland still recovering from a sore back, expect to see Carl Gettis in the vicinity of his fellow St. Louis native.

? Trick plays for the Tigers? They practiced several during bowl practices. I expect to see at least one, maybe two.

For up-to-the-minute updates from Sun Devil Stadium, follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Dave_Matter.